The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1887-07-09

Wnen he dTOSc, ucspitc tuC ioNe eh1s
Bertha had done his bidding.
His first impulse was to rush to her and
learn all she knew of Cora, but better
Judgment prevailed. He concluded to
ascertain through quiet inquiries all he
could about his new-found love. Bertha,
however, anticipated him. She saw, with
woman's quickness, the profound look
of admiration on his visage as he sat gaz-
ing at herfriend the night previous, and
intuitively surmising that he wished to
know something of her friend, told him
of her own accord all that she knew.
''Cora was employed as saleslady in
millinery establishment. She was twenty
years old, was supposed TO be an orphan,
and came originally from the East"
This was all Bertha knew of her, al
though she dwelt eloquently on her ami
able manners and goodness of heart.
Every night for two weeks Harlow saw
his love safely home, but not as an es-
cort. He could not nerve himself to meet
those great blue eyes, for he felt that the
venture would lead him to passionate
avowal of the love that was surging
against his heart like vast billow. No,
he must strive to beat down the vehement
attachment that was almost consuming
hin and let time shape his fortunes.
Harlow had passed two evenings at the
house of Cora, and each time he set eyes
/ on her some newborn charm revealed it.
self to his enamored vision. A certain
air of constant reserve in her demeanor
| awed down all efforts on his part to di-
vulge the dictates of his heart. If the
mellow gaze that wreathed her face at
times conveyed to his mind the looks Of
| reciprocal affection. its relaxation into a
moody, apathetic stare dispclled the fe-
| licitous thought. still. his manner and
conversation appeared to please and en-
terrain her, and ut times she grew elo-
quent in her responses.
One gentle moonlight evening, when
the stars studded the vaulted heaven
with unwonted brilliancy and bracing
breezes stole softly through the trees and
flowers, bringing with them the in
MIGRATING influences of hclmy evening
in May, Harlow unbosomed his heart TO
her lie told her in imprisoned tones
of his alteration; how life without her
would be a dismal blank how he had
watched her night after night, and felt
happy to know that he was close to the
woman whom lie loved; how eagerly he
had looked forward to the time when he
could tell her all. She listened demure-
ly, with downcast eyes, but uttered not
q word. That she did not demonstrate
with him reconciled him to the belief that
the affection was mutual. At last she
cnaEa and Iar ,.o1AI,Ano ua.na brill a1
him with delight.
She told him she dearly loved him,
loved him for his kindness to her; that
ever since she first saw him his image
was indissolubly mingled with her day
dreams; every moment in his presence
seemed an hour of happiness to her.
These endearing words threw off the
restraint he had sustained, and in the
ardency of his fondness he drew her to
his side, and repeatedly kissed the pale,
upturned lips.
"Cora, you will be my wife" he said,
looking down upon her with unspeak-
able JOY, as if the answer he sought was
already his.
She drew herself gently from his en-
brace and the gaze in her lovely eyes
appeared to pass over him to space be-
yOnd. She spoke as if in dream.
"That can never be-" she uttered, at
the same time throwing her arms about
him and sobbing bitterly, as if in deep
anguish.
To be refused by woman who had
Just avowed herself in love seemed q
strange anomaly to him. A hundred
conjectures filled his brain at that
moment. Was her heart preOcuppied
Was there a man on earth who adored
Cora Lane more than he did, Why
could she not be his wife?
Don't ask me why, John. 1t is
better for us if we see each other no